The Minto Rec Centre is all set to host the Second Annual Youth Bowling Canada Cash Spiel on Sunday.

The one-day tournament will give youngsters a taste of the sport’s competitive side as they compete for a cash prize of no less than $400 awarded to the No. 1 bowler.

Founded in 1963, YBC’s goal is to promote the sport of bowling and team values towards Canada’s youth.

Involved with YBC since she was four-years-old, event coordinator Amy Pilon said she hopes Sunday’s tournament will spark interest in bowling as participants get exposed to some healthy competition.

“It’s a cash tournament to pretty much bring some competitiveness back to YBC,” Pilon said. “We don’t have a lot of YBC tournaments here in P.A., so two years ago I just figured that we needed something for kids to stay interested and wanting to stay involved with the sport.”

With 35 bowlers registered so far, all participants will bowl six qualifying games with the top 16 advancing to match play.

In the match round, bowlers will compete one-on-one in scratch play as they vie to advance to the final.

Pilon explained that based on 36 entries, a total of $735 in prize money will be handed out on Sunday to the top 16 bowlers, with any money gained from extra participants added to the pool.

Although the prize money is a nice bonus for the bowlers, Pilon explained that the tournament is about showing youth that like other sports, bowling can be competitive and even be played professionally.

“It has taught me confidence, sport and dedication,” Pilon said of the YBC and bowling. “Bowling is pretty much like any other sport, it’s fun but it’s also something that can bring competitiveness, dedication and teaches you the values that kids need.”

While adding that many of the YBC’s kids move on to bowl in the Rec Centre’s adult leagues, she has noticed a decline in the sport’s popularity.

She hopes however, that tournaments such as Sunday’s Cash Spiel will show kids just how far they can take the sport.

“It’s not as popular as it used to be,” Pilon said of her sport. “We’ve been noticing a loss of interest in the competitive side of it. Lots of kid don’t even know that they can enter tournaments, that you can go to provincials and nationals.”

Pilon added that once those doors are opened to them, interest in bowling will increase.

“Once they know there is something that they can toward with bowling, they will feel a lot better about the sport,” she said. “I just competed at my first nationals at it was the most amazing experience, hands down.”

Registration for Sunday’s spiel is still open to bowlers aged 12-19 with the entry-fee priced at $60.

Those interested in participating are encouraged to contact the Rec Center at 306-763-3177.